Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
CWC 2019 – New Zealand v West Indies: 5 key talking points. NZ vs WI: 5 key talking points from their 2019 World Cup match.
It takes something special for an India-Afghanistan thriller to not even be the best game of the day.
New Zealand and West Indies played a World Cup classic. Great games are often defined by memorable moments, ebbs and flows and emotional rollercoasters. Well, this one had it all, with New Zealand winning yet another World Cup match as the Windies’ Semi Final hopes are all but gone.
Here are five talking points from a thriller in Manchester – the kind Manchester United have not been used to in recent years!
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1. So close to another “remember the name” moment
Since the moment Ian Bishop yelled “remember the name” in the 2016 World T20 Final, Carlos Brathwaite hasn’t quite followed it up.
His ODI record shows that. Before this incredible knock, he averaged just 14.45 in 31 innings to go with a bowling average in excess of 40. He was left out of West Indies’ team against Bangladesh after an unspectacular beginning to his tournament. However, this was a day where Brathwaite showcased just how talented he is, getting West Indies to the brink of victory when they looked completely gone after an awful middle order collapse.
Criticism towards him for going for the final six is untoward. His hitting actually gave West Indies a chance in the first place. He had every right to try ensure the game didn’t go into the final over. In the end, though, it was heartbreak, holing out to Trent Boult at long on to leave Brathwaite on his haunches after an innings to remember.
2. Kane Williamson is pure class
Ever feel sad? Remember you are alive at the same time as Kane Williamson. He really is one of New Zealand’s best ever.
His slow start to his innings was needed after yet another underwhelming showing from New Zealand’s openers. After getting settled, Williamson treated us all to some of the most delectable back and front foot play you’ll ever see, using skill and depth of the crease en route to an outstanding century. 333 runs had passed between his last two dismissals, and just about every single one of them was a sight to behold.
New Zealand can only win this World Cup if he continues to deliver the goods.
3. New Zealand’s opening problem
The impact Chris Gayle had on the game surely meant the Windies could go on with the job. His hitting was unbelievable. However, they fell just short, with a significant reason being that their middle order couldn’t withstand the pressure when needed. This was opposite to New Zealand’s, who rallied courtesy of Williamson and Ross Taylor to give the Black Caps a chance of a strong total.
They had to. New Zealand’s openers underwhelmed again, with Colin Munro in particular a player that has benefited from a number of unwarranted and unfulfilled chances. Munro might very well fire if given another chance, but this looks to be out of hope rather than expectation from New Zealand’s perspective, with T20 looking like the much preferred format for Munro.
An average of 25 after 56 ODIs tells the story. Henry Nicholls is available. Can he be the one who enables Martin Guptill to fire?
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4. Sheldon Cottrell and Trent Boult’s swinging magic
It was a day for batting masterclasses. However, the bowlers had a say too. It really was an outstanding game of cricket.
Sheldon Cottrell got the Windies off to a flyer. New Zealand fans were treated to the trademark salute rather than runs from their openers. The ball was swinging, and Cottrell was threatening. Then, while he conceded runs late, it still was an excellent effort by Cottrell who really has become the leader of the Windies attack.
Then came Trent Boult. His tournament had been relatively quiet, taking four wickets in his opening four matches to take the back seat behind Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry. However, here he took the front seat, taking as many wickets in his previous four matches, while going for just three an over in his 10 overs. When there is swing on offer, Boult is one hell of a threat, and he will be key in New Zealand’s quest for World Cup glory. Add his clutch final catch to win the game, and Boult truly is a fine cricketer.
5. West Indies’ story of missed opportunities
West Indies entered the tournament as a dark horse. Their batting looked mighty powerful on paper. When you couple this with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude, teams had to beware. It began with the ball against Pakistan. Their batting power was surely to follow.
However, the Windies’ tournament is now all but over. It has been a story of missed opportunities, falling short to both Australia and New Zealand when victory was in their reach. With disappointing performances against Bangladesh and England, West Indies now need to reassess where they are at as a side and what they do next. Indeed, their middle order is hard-hitting and exciting, but if Shai Hope doesn’t score, who will hold the innings together? Can the Windies put in good performances on a consistent basis to improve as an ODI side from now till CWC 2023?
The ingredients are there, but some work is needed.
Download: Making cricket an interactive experience! Discover Harrison Cricket Apps ODI version. For full screenshots, click here.
Thanks for reading!
